Intravascular and intraparenchymatous hepatic segmentary sclerosis

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the morphological effects of injected sclerosing agents into the liver. Methods: This study was performed on twenty dogs, distributed into five groups: Group 1 (n = 5) - control, Group 2 (n = 5) - injection of 50% glucose solution inside hepatic parenchyma and animals followed during seven days, Group 3 (n = 10) - injection of ethanol inside hepatic parenchyma and animals distribution into two subgroups Subgroup 3A (n = 5) - followed during 24 hours and subgroup 3B (n = 5) - followed during seven days (group 3B), Group 4 (n = 5) - ethanol injection inside left portal vein branch and followed during 24 hours. Livers were macroscopically evaluated, submitted to hepatic arteriography and portography, then histology. Results: All animals in Group 4 died within 23 hours due to diffuse hepatic necrosis. The animals of groups 2 and 3 had a satisfactory evolution. Fibrosis formed in the segment reached by the sclerosant solution and interruption of the contrast flow injected into the portal system. Conclusion: Intrahepatic parenchymal ethanol injection is well tolerated and causes sclerosis restricted to a specific segment; however, intraportal ethanol injection causes massive hepatic necrosis and can lead to death.

Vascular sclerosing effects of bleomycin on cutaneous veins: a pharmacopathologic study on experimental animals

Abstract: Background: Varicose veins and the complications of venous disease are common disorders in humans. Objective: To study the effects of bleomycin as a potential new sclerosing agent and its adverse events in treating varicose veins. Methods: Bleomycin-loaded liposomes 0.1ml was injected in the dorsal ear veins of white New Zealand rabbits. Sodium tetradecyl sulfate was used as a positive control. Normal saline was used as negative control. The blood vessels of the treated ears were photographed before and at one hour and two, eight and 45 days after treatment. Biopsies from the treated areas were obtained for histological examination. Blood samples were collected to determine any possible toxicity. Results: Bleomycin by itself was ineffective; therefore, liposomes were used as a vector to deliver bleomycin to the vein lumen. Subsequently, bleomycin started showing its sclerosing effects. Toxicity monitoring showed no apparent hematologic, pulmonary, hepatic or renal toxicities. This study revealed that bleomycin induced vasculitis, which led to vascular occlusion, which was observed on day 1 and day 8. No bleomycin-related injury was noted by histopathological examination of lung sections. The calculation of the lung/body weight coefficient indicated that edema was present in the experimental groups compared with the negative and positive controls. Study limitations: Relatively small number of experimental animals used. Conclusions: This study showed that bleomycin-loaded liposomes were able to induce vasculitis and vascular occlusion without any toxicity or complications. It might be useful, hence, to treat patients suffering from Varicose veins and other ectatic vascular diseases with this agent.

Crosectomía y escleroterapia con espuna en el tratamiento del reflujo de la unión safenofemoral: una alternativa terapéutica mínimamente invasiva / Crosectomy and foam sclerotherapy in the treatment of the saphenophemoral junction reflux: a minimally invasive therapeutic alternative

Evaluar la eficacia y las ventajas de la crosectomía y escleroterapia con espuma en el tratamiento del reflujo de la unión safenofemoral y compararla con la safenectomia convencional. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, de una muestra seleccionada de casos, conformado por treinta y seis pacientes con enfermedad varicosa producto de reflujo de la unión safenofemoral que acudieron a la consulta del Servicio de Cirugía III del Hospital Universitario de Caracas en el período comprendido entre octubre del 2005 y octubre del 2006. Se realizó crosectomía y escleroterapia con espuma de etoxiesclerol en dieciocho casos y safenectomía convencional en los dieciocho casos restantes. Para la técnica descrita, el tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 30 minutos; no se prsentaron complicaciones intraoperatorias. El tiempo promedio de hospitalización fue de un día, con un reintegro a las actividades cotidianas a la segunda semana en todos los casos y una elevada tasa de satisfacción (94,4 por ciento). En el seguimiento durante un período de tres a doce meses no se encontraron recurrencias. Se reportó un caso de hiperpigmentación como única complicación postoperatoria asociada al procedimiento. Se demostró beneficio con respecto a la safenectomía convencional en cuanto a tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias (5,5 por ciento vs 33,3 por ciento, p<0,05). La crosectomía y esclerosis con espuma es una técnica factible, con elevada tasa de éxito, que ofrece las ventajas del tratamiento mínimamente invasivo sin la necesidad de requerir en quirófano de equipos de alto costo, adecuándose de esta manera a centros hospitalarios de menos recursos.